Day 4 - Traveling to the Central Coast

VM:  We had a great rest in our Yosemite B&B, aka Grandma's house.  Our hosts made us an amazing breakfast which we enjoyed in their whimsical backyard.  I failed to mention that Yosemite Grandma & Grandpa also had the BIGGEST hot tub we had ever seen.  It was perfect after a full day of hiking.

Our B&B's backyard was full of whimsical touches.

We hit the road around 11am and enjoyed the trip across state checking out all of CA's agriculture.  JM is chock full of information re: the crops, methods of growing, etc. and the girls (especially HM) never tire of asking him about it.  We also saw many chicken houses which he has visited or is familiar with.

Our adopted winery!

We arrived at 2pmish at our next home away from home -- a vineyard in Paso Robles.  It is beautiful.  Our hosts converted a barn into a 4-bdrm/2-bath apartment complete with kitchen and wrap-around porch facing the vineyard.  Girls love it, but it might be more because they each get their own beds instead of kicking each other on pull-out couches :-).

Mission San Miguel

We visited one of CA's oldest missions which is near our apartment  Super cool, and still in use by Franciscan priests-in-training.

Today, we are heading to the famed Hearst Castle in San Simeon, about 30 minutes from us.  Can't wait.

EM:  I really liked Yosemite.  It was fun and cool.  It was really cool to see a waterfall.  I liked seeing all the different rocks and being a Junior Ranger.  We saw birds, lots of reindeer and really fat-man squirrels.  The big, big trees were neat.  They survived a lot of fires.

I liked where we stayed.  It was the best breakfast.

We are staying at a winery.  We got met by a lot of doggies!

HM:  Yosemite was a breathtaking view and everywhere you looked there was something different.  Then we got to visit a beautiful mission built in 1797.  Then we got to go to our vineyard in Paso Robles where we’re spending two nights. 

We had a cute kitty join us for breakfast this morning and we already named her Cali.  We were also greeted by two dogs, Oliver and Baxter.  Oliver is a cute terrier mix who is lovable and sweet.  I’ll try to get a picture later.  Baxter is a Lhasa who’s not as sweet, but still nice. 

Today we’re going to Hearst Castle.  My father told me it was a really cool place when he visited in third grade. I’m really excited to get to see it for myself.

Emma just "hanging around" on our swing.

Goofing around in "our" front yard.

Unbelievable roses everywhere.

Day 3 - Breathtaking Yosemite

VM:  I get Ansel Adams now.  Yosemite is simply awesome.  Unbelievable vistas and amazing animals. And surprisingly, not too crazy crowded. Couldn’t ask for anything more.  We were so awed by it that we got there at 9:30am and didn’t leave until 8:30pm which for this “unactive” family is really incredible. 

As with other national parks, we sought out the Junior Ranger program soon after arrival.  We have done these programs before at spots like Alcatraz & Muir Woods & found them to be excellent.  They engage the girls in a fun way and provide a great “map” of things to do with them. 

The program is so incentivizing that Emma walked around most of the day carrying a bag of garbage as one of her “tasks” was helping keep the park clean. 

World's fattest squirrels at Yosemite.

We met Zoey & Toby at Yosemite.  Too cute!

Classic view of Yosemite made famous by Ansel Adams.

The highlight of Yosemite’s Junior Ranger program was a meeting with a park ranger.  And the girls particularly lucked out, cause they were the only ones on the hike with Ranger Laura.  She made talking about “animal adaptation” fun between games where spoons and popsicle sticks simulated birds’ beaks & a version of hide n’ seek type game called Predator & Prey.

We ended the day at Mariposa Grove with Sequoias that they say are thousands of years old.

After a full day of hiking, we were thrilled to reach our bed and breakfast for the evening.  Right outside of Yosemite, in a spot called Oakhurst, our innkeepers converted part of the their home into a respite for weary travelers.  Girls too tired to write tonight.  More later.

Added thrill!!!! Mule deer eating their dinner.

Day 2 - Friends & Family

VM:  What a beautiful way to begin 'cation.  Starting the day with family and ending it with friends.  After a late night arrival in Sacramento (we turned out the hotel lights at 1AM local time which was 4AM for us) we woke the girls saying, "this is the only day with obligations, but they're good obligations."  And it was true.

First we drove down to Fairfield, making a drive-thru JM's alma mater, University of CA/Davis.  Aside from the beautiful campus, the highlight was checking out the fire station where JM was a firefighter while a college student.  Days that JM still fondly remembers.


We made it to Fairfield by 9AM (yes, HM made a point of reminding us how tired she was as if the rest of us hadn't been on the same lonnggg flight the night before) to have a wonderful breakfast with John's aunt (his mom's sister), his two cousins and second cousin (a VERY CUTE college boy).  They were all a delight and it was so fun to see the strong family resemblances. You judge for yourself...
 Hannah was particularly interested to hear that her third cousin (the cute college boy) was heading to Oahu for college next year.  She's already planning a visit for a surfing vacation. Not sure how she'll pay for it, but a girl can dream.

After a nice visit, drove through CA's central valley to Turlock to hang out with JM's business bro, Randy.  This was a real treat for all of us as JM and Randy probably spend more time with each other than with us as families due to crazy work travel schedules.  I think both families hear many stories about each other, but this was the first time we all hung out.  Girls had a great time playing with Randy's sons and VM particularly enjoyed meeting Randy's wife, Lisa, and comparing notes about our men, who we agreed are brothers from another mother.

We also enjoyed meeting our first dogs of the journey.  We particularly were fond of Lou, who reminded us a lot of our Maggie, but he was jet black.  Too too cute.

We're off to Yosemite on Sunday apparently with a gazillion of other people. All the Californians we talk to won't go at this time of year, kind of like us and Disney at home.  But we're all keen on seeing it and JM, a native Californian, has never even been, so it's something new for all us. So it's time to hit the road & hope for the best.

EM:  I like when I saw when I saw my dad's school and his firehouse where he used to work.  I liked seeing our family because I haven't seen them in a long time.  Cousin Ed is really funny and kinda looks like Daddy.  But Daddy says he doesn't.

We also had fun at Randy's house.  Playing in the pool was the best.

HM:  It was great seeing my cousins again.  I enjoyed seeing the whole family.  I also loved seeing the fire department cause Daddy tells stories about it.

And it was great meeting Mr. Randy and their family.  I had a lot of fun swimming and just playing.
I'm excited to see Yosemite. See ya!

Day One - Cali-bound

HM: Wow! CALI!!! I've been waiting all summer I really can't wait! I decided that I was going to make a video diary also so I am going to beg my mom to upload it no promises. Right before we left I made a list of stuff to bring... I brought everything but the list I think its sitting on my bed nice. Anyway the point is I'm excited and I can't wait to tell you more. Our photographer, EM, will also give you pictures!!! - HM xx

HM being cool in the Delta lounge.

EM counterbalancing cookies w/carrots.

EM:i think i am going to have fun on the trip.

VM: We're on our way.  Hoping God keeps us safe as we head to the West Coast.  Girls are excited.  JM is refusing to blog, says "hi."  :-)

A new adventure, a new blog

Three years ago, the McCarty women embarked on an experiment.  First, to take a road trip for two weeks on their own and second, to chronicle their journey.  The idea was to memorialize the journey from three perspectives.  The endeavor was fairly fun, mildly successful, and helped with creative writing skills (shhhh... don't tell!)  Anyways, it must've not been too bad as this year as we ready for a 2-week tour of California the question was asked, "will we blog again?"

So, that is how we are here, blogging again.  VM (aka Mom), H (11-years-old) and E (8-years-old).  This time, we even have some male company, as JM (aka Dad) is daring the road with us.  Although he doesn't seem as keen on the blogging thing as the rest of us.  We'll have to work on him.

Departing on 7/27, our journey will take us from Sacramento down the coast to San Diego visiting family, friends, Yosemite, Hearst Castle, Santa Barbara and Laguna Beach along the way.  Those, at least, are the planned pitstops, we'll see what else the road has in-store. We look forward to sharing our musings with all of you who indulge us.  More to come...